Is Virgin Voyages a good cruise line? How We Rated the Valiant Lady: Virgin Voyages’ 2025 Cruise Experience.
To wrap up our ratings for the Virgin Voyages Valiant Lady—let’s just say we had an incredible experience!
We enjoyed ourselves so much that we couldn’t resist booking our next cruise as soon as we got home.
Were there a few areas that could use some improvement? Definitely. But honestly, those small drawbacks didn’t come close to overshadowing how much we loved our time on this fantastic cruise line.
Below, you’ll find our detailed ratings across every category we think matters most when choosing a cruise, plus a quick look at Virgin Voyages Pros & Cons to help you decide if it’s the right fit for you:
Be sure to read until the end to get our sheet that shows the cheapest sailings for 2025/2026!
Lets get right to it! Virgin Voyages Review.
Room size + in room Amenities + Room Cleanliness
Score – 8.33 / 10 points
Room size – 2/3.33 points
In Room Amenities – 3.33/3.33 points
Room Cleanliness – 3/3.33 points
Total: 8.33 points earned.
Virgin really shook things up with their cabin design, and we loved seeing a fresh take compared to the more “traditional” cruise lines.
.The room “awakening”—where the balcony curtains automatically open to greet you—was such a fun surprise and made for a memorable first impression. The modular layout also gave the space a modern, flexible feel that we genuinely appreciated.
Where did things fall a bit short? The restroom.
While we know cruise ship bathrooms are rarely spacious, the bathroom here still felt pretty tight. We totally get that space is limited at sea, but it’s an area where we think there’s still room for improvement.
Food Buffet/Snack bars
Score – 13 / 15 points
Total: 13 points earned.
The “every day” food options comprise mainly with:
- The “Galley”
- The Pizza Place
- The Dock.
The Galley is Virgin’s answer to the traditional cruise buffet—and honestly, we loved it. As self-proclaimed buffet enthusiasts, we were a little skeptical about this new concept, but it totally won us over.
From “Hot Off the Press” to “Diner & Dash” and even “Bento Box,” most offerings were consistently delicious and satisfying.
The Pizza Place serves up some of the best pizza we’ve had at sea. While it may not be gourmet, it’s reliably good, never sloppy, and a definite step up from typical cruise ship pizza (which, if you know, you know).
The Dock is more about the laid-back atmosphere than the food, but it’s still worth a visit. The shrimp and chicken thighs were definite highlights from what we sampled.
Specialty Dining
Score – 8.5 / 10 points
Total 8.5 points earned
Specialty dining options include:
- The Wake – Steakhouse and seafood with a classic, upscale vibe
- Razzle Dazzle – Vegetarian-forward menu with bold flavors and a few “naughty” (meaty) options
- Pink Agave – Elevated Mexican cuisine in a vibrant setting
- Gunbae – Korean BBQ with interactive grilling at your table
- Extra Virgin – Italian trattoria featuring handmade pastas and Mediterranean favorites
- The Test Kitchen – Experimental, chef-driven tasting menus with a focus on creativity
Continuing on Virgin Voyages Food & Dining:
One of the standout features of Virgin Voyages is that all specialty dining is included in your fare—no extra charges, no hidden fees. This is a game-changer for the cruise experience and something we truly appreciated.
Every night, we indulged in incredible meals: from perfectly cooked lamb and juicy steak to some of the best Italian cuisine we’ve ever had at sea. The variety and quality of the specialty restaurants genuinely elevated our trip, and we were honestly surprised at the overall value Virgin delivers in this area.
That said, not every spot was a hit for us.
Gunbae, the ship’s Korean BBQ restaurant, didn’t quite live up to our expectations. While the concept is fun and unique, we felt the experience could have been managed a bit better.
At times, it seemed like the staff were trying a little too hard to create a lively atmosphere, which sometimes came off as forced rather than enjoyable.
Entertainment
Score – 12.25 / 15 points
Shows – 3.5 points
Music – 2 points
Activities – 3.75 points
Parties – 3 points
Total: 12.25 points earned
Virgin Voyages truly shines in the entertainment department, especially when it comes to their shows and onboard activities.
We can honestly say we were never bored during our time on the Valiant Lady. There was always something happening, but if we wanted to slow down and enjoy a more laid-back vibe, that was totally possible too.
The variety and quality of the entertainment really impressed us. One standout was “The Ship Show”—an unforgettable experience where you enjoy a delicious three-course meal while being entertained for two full hours. (It’s complimentary, but you’ll want to snag a reservation early!)
Is Virgin Voyages a party cruise? We’d actually describe it as more of an “activity cruise.” There’s no shortage of things to do, but you’re also free to do as much—or as little—as you like.
If we had one consistent letdown, it was the music. The playlist leaned heavily into 80’s themes, and after a while, it started to feel repetitive—not just for us, but for other guests too. There were moments when we found ourselves wishing for a bit more variety to keep the energy fresh.
Of course, no review of Virgin Voyages would be complete without mentioning “Scarlet Night.” We had an absolute blast during this signature event.
The party took over several areas of the ship, but the real action was up on the top deck by the pool—people were dancing, splashing around, and the energy was pretty contagious.
Surprisingly, Scarlet Night wasn’t quite as wild as we’d expected based on what we’d seen online, but it was still a fantastic time with a great vibe all around.
Virgin Voyages Amenities (Ship Amenities)
Score – 8.5 / 10 points
Pool – 1 point
Gym/exercise – 2 points
Lounging areas – 2 points
Casino – 2 points
Navigation – 1.5 points
Total: 8.5 Points Earned
One thing we really appreciated about Virgin Voyages was the overall vibe: everything felt high-quality, modern, and refreshingly simple. After sailing with so many different cruise lines, we’ve come to value simplicity—and Virgin absolutely delivers on that front.
There’s no shortage of fantastic lounge spaces to relax in, and if staying active is a priority for you, you’ll love the fitness options. The ship features multiple gyms—some focused on weightlifting, others on HIIT training—and even a great running track for those who like to get their steps in at sea.
On the flip side, the pool areas were almost always crowded, and the overall pool space felt pretty limited.
This stood out to us because, for a cruise line that markets itself as “young and hip,” we expected a lot more in terms of poolside real estate. Safe to say, we were surprised by how little the pools actually are.
Itinerary
Score – 10/15 points
Total: 10 points earned.
This is a category the Valiant Lady took a decent hit in points on however…
We genuinely believe this is an area where Virgin Voyages will really start to shine as they continue to grow. It’s important to remember that the company is still relatively new—launched less than four years ago—so there’s plenty of room for evolution.
Our main gripe? While Virgin advertises an abundance of activities and experiences, the typical 4- or 5-night itineraries just aren’t long enough to truly take advantage of everything onboard.
The sheer variety left us wishing for more time, and honestly, it’s a big reason why we immediately booked another trip. That said, we were already planning to sail with Virgin again, regardless!
In our opinion, the Valiant Lady would benefit from alternating between shorter 4/5-night cruises and longer 7- to 10-night (or more) sailings. This way, they could appeal to both guests looking for a quick getaway and those wanting a more extended vacation experience.
Additionally, we found many of the current itineraries to be fairly “basic”. If you’re interested in a deeper dive into the routes and our suggestions for improvement, check out our full review here.
Overall Cleanliness
Score – 10 / 10 points
Total: 10 points earned
This category is a no-brainer—Virgin Voyages absolutely excels when it comes to cleanliness. Everywhere we went, the ship was spotless. The staff were always present, greeting guests and staying on top of cleaning duties in every area.
One thing we really appreciated was how quickly crew members took care of things like trays left outside cabins. On many cruises, you’ll see dishes lingering in the halls, but on the Valiant Lady, staff would swoop in and clear them away almost immediately.
It made the whole environment feel fresh and well cared for.
Simply put, there wasn’t a single spot on the ship where we felt things were anything less than pristine.
Overall Value
Score – 14 / 15 points
- Did I get my moneys worth? 4.5 points
- Would I cruise again? 5 points
- Was I ever overly Frustrated? 4.5 points
Total: 14 points earned
By now, it’s probably clear that we’re big fans of Virgin Voyages.
We genuinely felt like we got more than our money’s worth on this trip. While we did have a few complaints—like the limited pool space, repetitive music, and basic itineraries—these were minor compared to all the positives.
Would we sail with Virgin again? Absolutely! In fact, we’ve already booked our next cruise.
Were there moments of frustration? Definitely. The Virgin Voyages app on my phone was buggy at times, and there were moments when I couldn’t even see my daily schedule—which was pretty inconvenient. I go into more detail about the app experience here.
Overall Experience
Looking back on our time aboard the Valiant Lady, it’s easy to see why Virgin Voyages has quickly developed such a devoted following.
The cruise felt refreshingly modern, with thoughtful touches and a focus on quality that set it apart from other lines we’ve sailed. From the innovative dining concepts to the spotless ship and the genuinely friendly crew, Virgin delivered a vacation that was both fun and relaxing—exactly what we were hoping for.
Were there a few hiccups? Of course. Every cruise has its quirks, and we did encounter some minor frustrations, like limited pool space, repetitive music, and a few tech issues with the app. But in the grand scheme, these were small bumps in an otherwise fantastic journey.
What really stood out was how much value we felt we received. The included specialty dining, the unique entertainment, and the overall vibe made us feel like we were getting a premium experience without the constant up charges you find elsewhere.
Virgin Voyages manages to strike a balance between lively and laid-back, making it easy to tailor your trip to your mood—whether you want to party, try something new, or simply unwind.
Would we recommend Virgin Voyages’ Valiant Lady? Without hesitation. We left the ship not just satisfied, but genuinely excited to return—and that’s the best endorsement we can give.
If you’re looking for a cruise that feels fresh, adult-oriented, and full of surprises, Valiant Lady is absolutely worth a spot on your travel list.
Overall Rating
Valiant Lady has scored a 85 point rating!
While there were a few minor drawbacks, the positives far outweighed any negatives. We left genuinely impressed and excited to set sail with Virgin again in the future.
Overall Ratings Scale:
- 90s – Absolutely Perfect cruise. Untouchable. Undisputed rating.
- 80s – Phenomenal cruise. Small frustrations but great nonetheless.
- 70s – Good cruise. Some hurdles and some great things.
- 60s – Ok cruise. Hurdles outweigh the great things the cruise had to offer.
- 50s and below – Needs improvement.
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About the Author:
Kam is a passionate traveler with a decade of cruising experience, having explored the world by sea for over ten years.
He has immersed himself in the unique offerings of all the major cruise lines, from popular favorites to luxury experiences.
Kam’s journeys span Virgin Voyages, Celebrity Cruises, Princess, Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Oceania, MSC, and many more you’re sure to recognize.
His firsthand knowledge and love for adventure bring a seasoned, insightful perspective to every travel story he shares.